Rising Stars Category
Recognizing leadership, innovation, and mentorship that is transforming the logistics industry
Press Release
Katherine Lehman Named Recipient of 2025 Women in Supply Chain Award
Buffalo, NY—September 8, 2025
Food Logistics, the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of product through the global cold food supply chain, and Supply & Demand Chain Executive, the only publication covering the entire global supply chain, named Katherine Lehman as one of the winners of this year’s Women in Supply Chain Award, which honors female supply chain leaders and executives whose accomplishments, mentorship and examples set a foundation for women in all levels of a company’s supply chain network.
Katherine Lehman, Founder of KT Creativity and Chief Marketing Officer at ReturnBear, was recognized in the Rising Stars category for her transformative impact on supply chain marketing and her commitment to building community and mentorship across the industry.
Quote from Marina Mayer
“Every year, the award winners amaze me. Regardless of the disruptions, economic uncertainty, and other industry challenges, these women in supply chain winners are doing remarkable things for their communities, organizations and teams. In correlation with the theme of this year’s Women in Supply Chain Forum, these female logistics leaders are rising up; they’re strengthening leadership pipelines, enforcing a people-first leadership approach, spearheading new product introductions, and transforming the way the industry views women in supply chain. I couldn’t be more proud of this year’s winners.”
— Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Co-Founder of the Women in Supply Chain Forum
Why Katherine Stands Out
Katherine Lehman is redefining what it means to be a leader in supply chain, combining strategy, creativity, and unstoppable drive to bring a fresh voice to a traditionally overlooked space. Since her first Women in Supply Chain win in 2023, she has expanded her reach and influence across the industry.
The “Supply Chain Siren”
Katherine launched KT Creativity as a supply chain-focused marketing consultancy and built a reputation for honest, bold takes that make logistics marketing not only smart, but magnetic. She co-founded the Thought Leadership Dinners series, which became a fixture at major logistics conferences like Manifest and Shoptalk, and has contributed to conversations with Supply Chain Brain on what is next for Supply Chain Marketing.
Transforming ReturnBear
As Chief Marketing Officer at ReturnBear, Katherine is transforming how brands approach returns through sustainability, customer experience, and fraud prevention. She rebranded the company’s value proposition around verified returns, forward fulfillment, and fraud prevention—creating clear differentiation in a crowded market.
Community Leadership
Katherine took up the reins as Chapter Head for Pavilion in Western New York, mentoring women in marketing and leadership. She supports job seekers weekly through her #FindAJobFriday initiative and offers pro bono marketing support to local small businesses. She uses her platform to create visibility for others and strengthen the next generation of supply chain professionals. She plans to launch a new initiative in 2026 that brings AI efficiency workflows to the average professional and fractional executive alike.
Key Achievements (Past 12 Months)
- Strategic Rebranding
Rebranded ReturnBear’s value proposition around verified returns, forward fulfillment, and fraud prevention, creating a clear and differentiated message that resonates with global merchants and retail logistics leaders. The message of being a partner in making returns “suck less” has been resonating with merchants and customers alike. - Rapid Impact Across Multiple Companies
Overhauled marketing strategy and execution for three logistics companies in under three months, leading to measurable revenue increases, improved market positioning, and earned media coverage that brought national attention to brands that had previously flown under the radar. - Building the Next Generation
Assumed the role of Buffalo Chapter Head of Pavilion, regularly supports jobseekers through her #FindAJobFriday initiative, and co-founded a dinner series designed to amplify bold voices and fresh perspectives in the supply chain space.
Key Achievements (Past 12 Months)
- Strategic Rebranding
Rebranded ReturnBear’s value proposition around verified returns, forward fulfillment, and fraud prevention, creating a clear and differentiated message that resonates with global merchants and retail logistics leaders. The message of being a partner in making returns “suck less” has been resonating with merchants and customers alike. - Rapid Impact Across Multiple Companies
Overhauled marketing strategy and execution for three logistics companies in under three months, leading to measurable revenue increases, improved market positioning, and earned media coverage that brought national attention to brands that had previously flown under the radar. - Building the Next Generation
Assumed the role of Buffalo Chapter Head of Pavilion, regularly supports jobseekers through her #FindAJobFriday initiative, and co-founded a dinner series designed to amplify bold voices and fresh perspectives in the supply chain space.
About Katherine Lehman
Katherine Lehman is the Chief Marketing Officer at ReturnBear, a reverse logistics company redefining the future of cross-border returns to be better for customers, merchants, and the planet. A second-time Rising Star nominee, Katherine has carved out a unique space in supply chain marketing, blending systems thinking, brand strategy, and sharp storytelling to take logistics marketing from “meh” to memorable.
After leading growth at Onfleet in the last-mile delivery space, she transitioned into global e-commerce logistics and eventually launched KT Creativity as a supply chain marketing powerhouse. Her work caught the attention of ReturnBear, where she now leads marketing strategy with a focus on sustainability, fraud prevention, and customer experience.
Katherine doesn’t just follow trends—she sets them. She has helped logistics companies find their voice, developed partner-led demand generation programs, and created campaigns rooted in data but driven by a strong understanding of people.
Beyond her work at ReturnBear and her consultancy, Katherine is a certified personal trainer, dedicated mom, and active networking advocate, bringing people together. Her energy, passion, and impact are unmatched—and she’s just getting started.
What Inspires Katherine
“We don’t really think about everything on and around us, you know? Our clothes, our carpet, the paint on the walls, whatever, as having arrived by ship.” — From The Glass Hotel
Katherine sees logistics not just as process but as invisible infrastructure that shapes our everyday lives. She’s motivated by the opportunity to make these systems more visible, human, and efficient. Her creative approach blends operational rigor with empathy and storytelling, allowing her to communicate complex supply chain issues in ways that resonate with broader audiences.
Katherine’s Advice to the Next Generation
“Start before you’re ready. You don’t need permission to build something new.”
Katherine believes that women should not wait for validation to take on leadership roles in supply chain. She encourages speaking up, asking better questions, and leading with curiosity.
What Makes Katherine a Competitive Differentiator
Katherine blends marketing creativity with operational strategy in a way few others do in supply chain. She’s known as “The Supply Chain Siren” for her honest (sometimes spicy) takes, public visibility, and ability to bring clarity and energy to complex logistics challenges. She’s built a career on helping others grow and creating platforms for underrepresented voices.